If he could have gone costal would he off. Would he have pick to fly over tiger country and into that strom I would have thought not. Should that base be there from the coast to the range no it should not.
The Australian aviation system is governed by old military rules to this day. Rules from the 1914s that are still forced on use all. Ex military personal that leave and get jobs in casa. Like one I heard ask where is you duplicate inspection for knots on the vent flaps on a hot air ballon. It's this same mentality that is still being forced apron us all.
At the end of the day life's where lost that should not have been. Simple chooses not made but the fact remains if he had of been able to go costal there was a better chance for him to get away with it.